To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to include certified community behavioral health clinic services as a State plan option under the Medicaid program, and for other purposes.

Advocating for expanded funding opportunities and care improvements in Medicare, Medicaid and the private and public behavioral health systems. Advancement of S.2993 and H.R.7545, the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 4189 / S. 2106), all provisions related to expanding access to telehealth services. Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023 (H.R. 3432), all provisions related to ensuring coverage of mental health services furnished through telehealth. Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act of 2023 (H.R. 1359/S. 644), all provisions related to authorizing a study on certain exemptions for treatment of opioid use disorder through opioid treatment programs. 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 4851), all provisions related to authorizing and growing funding and support for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline Protecting Kids on Social Media Act (H.R. 6149/S.1291), all provisions related to authorizing certain safeguards to protect mental health for children when using social media platforms Ryan Haight Act, all provisions related to the extension of COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities for prescription of controlled medication The PEER Mental Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 2642 / S.3498), all provisions related to award grants to build capacity for peer support programs for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges Helping Kids Cope Act of 2023 (H.R. 2412), all provisions related to awarding grants to build the capacity of the pediatric behavioral health services Strengthening Community Care Act of 2023 (H.R. 2559) all provisions related to reauthorization of the Community Health Center Fund for three years, ending in 2026. Improving Access to Mental Health Act (H.R.1638 / S.838), all provisions related to the incentivizing of mental health professionals to practice in Mental Health Professional Shortage areas. SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4531/S. 3393) all provisions relating to the continued bolstered funding for substance use disorder treatment and recovery. Local 9-8-8 Response Act (H.R. 4974 / S. 3444), all provisions relating to the continued bolstering of 9-8-8 crisis services and requiring that 9-8-8 calls be routed to their nearest call center as opposed to the call center matching the area code of the phone originating the call. CONNECT Act (H.R. 6928), all provisions related to awarding grants to certain crisis centers for providing follow-up care to individuals who receive suicide prevention and crisis intervention services. Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act (H.R.3331/ S.754), all provisions related to expanding mental health education and health promotion in existing school education programs Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Supporting Health Act (H.R.3805/ S.1769), all provisions relating to improving the health and wellbeing of children by addressing nonmedical factors that determine health outcomes. Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care Act (S.1378), all provisions related to incentivizing primary care to implement integrated care models to improve access to behavioral health care treatments. Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act (S.923), all provisions relating to parity enforcement and improving access to mental health care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Mental Health Student Loan Forgiveness Act (H.R. 4933/S. 462), all provisions relating to expanding the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program and expanding eligibility to include individuals who agree to work in mental health professional shortage areas for a period of time. Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R.2389/ S.1302), all provisions relating to adding additional residency positions for improved access to behavioral health care in physician shortage areas as defined by SAMHSA Stop Overdose in Schools Act (H.R.5652), all provisions related to setting aside funds for opioid reversal agent administration training for schools and the expansion of opioid education programs in education. Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2023 (H.R.5804), all provisions relating to authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make loans and loan guarantees for the betterment of pediatric and adult mental health and substance use treatment facilities. Advancing Lifesaving Efforts with Rapid Test strips for Communities Act ALERT Communities Act (S.2919), all provisions related to expanding access to fentanyl and xylazine test strips. H.R. 7545, all provisions related to expansion grant funding for CCBHCs, childrens clinic grant funding, and CCBHC certification processes. STAR Plus Scholarship Act (H.R. 9851), all provisions related to creating a scholarship program for substance use treatment providers. Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act (H.R. 8680), all provisions related to creating a grant program for behavioral health organizations to train mental wellness workers in communities. Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act (H.R. 8524/S. 4407), all provisions related to establishing five-year renewable grant programs to help elementary and secondary schools to hire additional school-based mental health providers such as counselors, psychologists and social workers. Kid PROOF Act of 2023 (H.R. 6663/S. 3364), all provisions related to allowing health care providers to purchase and distribute lethal means safety supplies for children at risk of overdose or suicide. Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act of 2024 (H.R. 9271), all sections related to expanding telehealth access for tribal communities. Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2024 (H.R. 9214), all provisions related to helping higher education institutions implement programs to prevent alcohol and substance misuse on campus and support those with substance use disorders. Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (H.R. 2941/S. 1332), all provisions related to requiring the Office of Management and Budget to establish a separate category within the Standard Occupational Classification system for direct support professionals for data reporting purposes. American Relief Act (H.R. 10545), all provisions relating to extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities. SAMHSA Notice of CCBHC-E Data Collection, submitted comment to SAMHSA regarding the request for clearance for eleven data collection instruments and forms related to the implementation and impact studies to be conducted as part of an evaluation of the 2022 CCBHC-Expansion grant cohorts. SAMHSA Notice of Patient-Level Data Collection, submitted comment SAMHSA regarding the proposed SAMHSA Unified Client-level Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT) to modify the existing Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) Client-Level Performance Instruments into a streamlined, multi-component SAMHSA Client-Level Performance Tool. CMS Draft FAQ on Provider Enrollment and TPL for Dual Eligibles, submitted comment on CMSs draft FAQ related to providing services for dual eligible individuals. SAMHSA Crisis definitions and guidelines draft documents, submitted comments on SAMHSAs drafted coordinated crisis care services definitions and guidelines. SAMHSA Satellite Definition, submitted comment on SAMHSAs proposed update to Satellite Facility for purposes of CCBHC payment exclusion.

Client expense: $112,806 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 4189 / S. 2106), all provisions related to expanding access to telehealth services. Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023 (H.R. 3432), all provisions related to ensuring coverage of mental health services furnished through telehealth. Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act of 2023 (H.R. 1359/S. 644), all provisions related to authorizing a study on certain exemptions for treatment of opioid use disorder through opioid treatment programs. 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 4851), all provisions related to authorizing and growing funding and support for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline Protecting Kids on Social Media Act (H.R. 6149/S.1291), all provisions related to authorizing certain safeguards to protect mental health for children when using social media platforms Ryan Haight Act, all provisions related to the extension of COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities for prescription of controlled medication The PEER Mental Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 2642 / S.3498), all provisions related to award grants to build capacity for peer support programs for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges Helping Kids Cope Act of 2023 (H.R. 2412), all provisions related to awarding grants to build the capacity of the pediatric behavioral health services Strengthening Community Care Act of 2023 (H.R. 2559) all provisions related to reauthorization of the Community Health Center Fund for three years, ending in 2026. Improving Access to Mental Health Act (H.R.1638 / S.838), all provisions related to the incentivizing of mental health professionals to practice in Mental Health Professional Shortage areas. SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4531/S. 3393) all provisions relating to the continued bolstered funding for substance use disorder treatment and recovery. Local 9-8-8 Response Act (H.R. 4974 / S. 3444), all provisions relating to the continued bolstering of 9-8-8 crisis services and requiring that 9-8-8 calls be routed to their nearest call center as opposed to the call center matching the area code of the phone originating the call. CONNECT Act (H.R. 6928), all provisions related to awarding grants to certain crisis centers for providing follow-up care to individuals who receive suicide prevention and crisis intervention services. Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act (H.R.3331/ S.754), all provisions related to expanding mental health education and health promotion in existing school education programs Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Supporting Health Act (H.R.3805/ S.1769), all provisions relating to improving the health and wellbeing of children by addressing nonmedical factors that determine health outcomes. Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care Act (S.1378), all provisions related to incentivizing primary care to implement integrated care models to improve access to behavioral health care treatments. Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act (S.923), all provisions relating to parity enforcement and improving access to mental health care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Mental Health Student Loan Forgiveness Act (H.R. 4933/S. 462), all provisions relating to expanding the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program and expanding eligibility to include individuals who agree to work in mental health professional shortage areas for a period of time. Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R.2389/ S.1302), all provisions relating to adding additional residency positions for improved access to behavioral health care in physician shortage areas as defined by SAMHSA Stop Overdose in Schools Act (H.R.5652), all provisions related to setting aside funds for opioid reversal agent administration training for schools and the expansion of opioid education programs in education. Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2023 (H.R.5804), all provisions relating to authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make loans and loan guarantees for the betterment of pediatric and adult mental health and substance use treatment facilities. Advancing Lifesaving Efforts with Rapid Test strips for Communities Act ALERT Communities Act (S.2919), all provisions related to expanding access to fentanyl and xylazine test strips. H.R. 7545, all provisions related to expansion grant funding for CCBHCs, childrens clinic grant funding, and CCBHC certification processes. STAR Plus Scholarship Act (H.R. 9851), all provisions related to creating a scholarship program for substance use treatment providers. Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act (H.R. 8680), all provisions related to creating a grant program for behavioral health organizations to train mental wellness workers in communities. Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act (H.R. 8524/S. 4407), all provisions related to establishing five-year renewable grant programs to help elementary and secondary schools to hire additional school-based mental health providers such as counselors, psychologists and social workers. Kid PROOF Act of 2023 (H.R. 6663/S. 3364), all provisions related to allowing health care providers to purchase and distribute lethal means safety supplies for children at risk of overdose or suicide. Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act of 2024 (H.R. 9271), all sections related to expanding telehealth access for tribal communities. Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2024 (H.R. 9214), all provisions related to helping higher education institutions implement programs to prevent alcohol and substance misuse on campus and support those with substance use disorders. Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (H.R. 2941/S. 1332), all provisions related to requiring the Office of Management and Budget to establish a separate category within the Standard Occupational Classification system for direct support professionals for data reporting purposes. 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, submitted comments to the administration regarding proposed provisions related to mental health and substance use services under Medicare. 2025 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule, submitted comments to the administration regarding proposed provisions related to mental health and substance use services. Congressional RFI on Pay PCP Act, submitted comment in response to request for comment from Senators Cassidy and Whitehouse regarding Medicare primary care provider payment and the importance of integration with behavioral health care. Marijuana Rescheduling Proposed Rule, submitted comment to the DEA in response to the proposed rule recognizing the importance of research, substance use prevention, and access to care. Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2028 Update, signed on to an organization sign-on letter regarding peer support specialists under the OMB SOC manual update.

Client expense: $154,891 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE